Vietnam, France agree law-abiding principle at sea must be respected

State President Tran Dai Quang (R) and French President François Hollande at the press briefing after their talks in Ha Noi on September 6, 2016. Photo: VGP

The two leaders highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and stability, accelerating regional and international cooperation; reaffirmed their commitments to maintain freedom of navigation and aviation.

They stressed the need to settle disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means, including diplomatic and legal processes on the basis of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The two Presidents also underlined the importance of full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), voicing support for efforts to reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Regarding the bilateral ties, the two sides affirmed their resolve to beef up the trategic partnership through a long-term cooperation vision that benefits both nations.

Both sides agreed to foster exchanges and contacts, particularly at high level, promote the role of coordination and cooperation mechanisms in politic, economic, defense, scientific-technological, cultural, education domains.

Economic cooperation still remains as a pillar of the bilateral relationship, the two Presidents agreed. French President Hollande pledged to continue offering official development assistance for Viet Nam.

State President Quang took the occasion to invite France to attend the Viet Nam Foodexpo next year as the honorary guest.

The two leaders agreed to boost defense cooperation and coordination at multilateral forums like the United Nations, ASEAN-EU, ASEM.

Viet Nam spoke highly of France’s role in the fight against climate change following the success of the 2015 UN Climate Change Conference. The two countries will strengthen cooperation in coping with global challenges, especially climate change.

After the talks, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of cooperative agreements on mutual legal assistance, extradition, training, agriculture, French teaching, climate change adaptation, plane sales, telecommunication, infrastructure development among others.